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Friday, March 29, 2024

Jen Fries and Mayor Siddiqui in Porter Square in fall. (Photo: Jen Fries for State Rep)

North Cambridge’s Jen Fries, who is challenging state Rep. Dave Rogers for his seat in the 24th Middlesex District, was endorsed last week by Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui.

The district includes all of Belmont and part of Cambridge and Arlington. Rogers has held the seat since 2013 after running to replace Belmont’s William Brownsberger, who left seeking to replace retiring state Sen. Steven Tolman. Rogers won that year’s three-way Democratic primary with 43 percent of the vote and then the general, in another three-way race, with 58 percent. He’s been unopposed in the three election years since.

Fries works in education nonprofits. This year she’s been executive director of ACE Mentor Program Greater Boston, which focuses on after-school learning for high schoolers, and for the previous nine years led the Cambridge School Volunteers group. Her website bio cites her experience as a financial manager and educational pedigree: a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Brown University and a master’s in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Her website highlights transit, pubic K-12 and higher education, climate change, public safety and women’s health rights as key issues.ui

Siddiqui’s endorsement noted also Fries’ work with legal assistance and domestic violence nonprofits: “Jen’s career has demonstrated both her dedication to direct service and her acumen for legislative advocacy to promote structural change … When I think of a strong elected official, I think of someone with deep roots in the communities they serve. I think of someone who has devoted their career to public service, and particularly someone who has worked to improve the lives of children and families.”

“Now more than ever, cities and towns in Massachusetts need strong partners on the state level, and I am confident that Jen will be such a partner,” Siddiqui wrote. The quotes were sent in a press release from the Fries campaign.

The Democratic primary is Sept. 1.